Broadly, the Dead Horse Theory is an old saying coined by the Dakota Native Americans and is used as a metaphor in management, policy making, and politics to understand conditions where people endure with failing strategies, programmes or policies despite clarity. It is based on an old Dakota tribal wisdom and is a scathing metaphor that reflects how many organisations run aground when they want to make work an inoperative model. It is born from a saying, “When you discover that you are riding a dead horse, the best strategy is to dismount.”
It also describes situations where governments and policymakers continue implementing failing policies instead of abandoning or reforming them. One reason could be political, economic, or bureaucratic pressures that do not encourage or support change. Using effective communication strategies and tools to include interactive data visualisation, social media platforms and videos and podcasts.
In the case of Governments, instead of stalling or discarding a policy or programme like the proverbial ‘dead horse’, they often:
Appoint Committees to scrutinise/probe the failure
For example, COVID-19 Independent Panel – WHO (2020–2021)
What: The WHO appointed an independent panel to investigate the global pandemic response, co-chaired by Helen Clark (former New Zealand PM) and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (former Liberian President).
Findings: There were delayed responses, weak international cooperation and vaccine inequity, which worsened the crisis
Impact: Recommendations were made for faster pandemic response mechanisms and a global health treaty.
Adapt the blame game instead of addressing the challenge
For example: COVID-19 Pandemic Response – Global Finger-Pointing (2020–2021)
What: Governments worldwide struggled to manage the COVID-19 crisis, including lockdowns, vaccine distribution, and healthcare infrastructure (Policy Challenge)
Leaders in Brazil and the USA downplayed the virus, attacking WHO recommendations instead of reinforcing public health systems.
Impact:
- Delayed decision-making on critical issues like vaccine rollouts.
- Increased public confusion and mistrust in governments and health policies.
- Increased deaths due to slow response and poor coordination.
Pump in more finance to “revive” the programme/policy
For example: India’s MGNREGA Funding Boost (2020)
- What: The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) faced funding shortages, leading to delayed wage payments.
- Findings: In 2020, the Indian government infused ₹40,000 crore into the programme to support rural workers during COVID-19.
- Impact: Helped sustain millions of rural livelihoods.
Dead horse theory and policy-making
In the area of policy making, Governments and concerned departments implement policies and programmes that are often ineffective, even after data and evidence show inefficiency. Common examples could include welfare programmes which have failed due to ineffective social schemes.
For example, there are policies related to the environment where traditional approaches are adhered to rather than adopting new approaches to ensure the success and utility of the policy. Another example is in the case of education policies, where education systems can be updated by introducing modern education by using technology and updating teaching methods.
Some common reasons for the above could be overspending money without a strategy, red tape in the policy-making processes, uncertainty about change, and non-admission of failures.
An ideal way to address the above could include:
- Adapt innovation
- Promote transparency
- Be open to change
- Use data to improve performance and make informed policy decisions.
In short, accepting and analysing failures will help in finding probable solutions.
How can governments avoid the dead horse theory?
If understood, the following suggestions can be adapted:
- Assess policy outcomes by using data
- Involve stakeholders in decision-making processes
- Adopt correction of failures, where required
- Use and follow timelines while implementing policies for effectiveness
- Focus on sustainable solutions rather than quick political wins.
Dead horse theory and think tanks
Think Tanks play the role of a mediator, analyser, researcher and communicator in the field of public policy-making processes. They are in a position where they can help Governments avoid the “Dead Horse Theory” by:
- Updating research using data and producing evidence-based information, especially keeping in mind the increase in use of AI technology
- Using political affiliations to shape their research direction
- Applying dynamic policy modelling by adapting interdisciplinary approaches and testing policies through pilot programmes
- Maintaining intellectual independence by encouraging non-partisan, evidence-based research
- Fostering a culture of adaptability by embracing new technologies and encouraging new research methodologies
Conclusion
As independent entities, Think Tanks can analyse policies and suggest actionable recommendations. They play an important role in recognising and replacing ‘Dead Horse’ policies. They can and must identify and reveal ineffective policies that are still being implemented. This can be done by conducting research, gathering and analysing data to help push out outdated policies and encourage evidence-based alternatives. They should advocate policy recommendations based on new evidence and evolving societal needs.